Indian women's cricket is set to receive a historic honour. Two stands at the ACA-VDCA Visakhapatnam Cricket Stadium will be named after former Indian captain Mithali Raj and wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana.
Sports News: A significant honour has been decided for two legendary players of Indian women's cricket. Two stands at the ACA-VDCA Visakhapatnam Cricket Stadium will be named after former Indian captain Mithali Raj and wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana. These stands will be unveiled on October 12, just before the Women's ODI World Cup match between India and Australia.
This decision was made after Indian opener Smriti Mandhana shared this suggestion with Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh during the 'Breaking the Boundaries' event held in August. The minister promptly accepted Mandhana's proposal and discussed it with the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), leading to the decision to bestow this great honour upon these eminent figures of women's cricket for their invaluable contributions.
Smriti Mandhana Made the Proposal
This significant decision originated from a suggestion by Indian opener Smriti Mandhana. During the 'Breaking the Boundaries' event held in August, Mandhana shared this proposal with Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh. Mandhana suggested that legendary women cricketers Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana be given permanent honour at the stadium.
Minister Nara Lokesh immediately accepted the proposal and discussed it with the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA). Following this, it was decided that two stands in the stadium would be named after these players.
A Symbol of Respect for Women's Cricket
The ACA issued a statement saying that bestowing this honour upon Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana is a gesture of gratitude towards these stalwarts of women's cricket who elevated the sport to new heights and inspired the next generation to dream big. Minister Nara Lokesh stated, "Smriti Mandhana's suggestion reflects the public sentiment. Implementing it immediately demonstrates our commitment to the pioneering players of women's cricket and our dedication to gender equality."
Mithali Raj's Cricket Career
Mithali Raj is considered the most successful batter in Indian women's cricket. Her major career achievements are as follows:
- 12 Test matches: 699 runs with 1 century and 4 half-centuries
- 232 ODI matches: 7805 runs with 7 centuries and 64 half-centuries
- 89 T20I matches: 2364 runs
Mithali Raj's achievements are not only an inspiration for Indian cricket but have also brought global recognition to women's sports. Ravi Kalpana played 7 ODI matches between 2015 and 2016. This player from Andhra Pradesh inspired many young cricketers through her performance and dedication. Her role has been particularly significant in promoting women's cricket at the local level and fostering interest in the sport among youngsters.
